Gastro-Esophageal Reflux, it probably does not evoke anything very specific. On the other hand, with heartburn, heartburn or regurgitation, there we are in the daily life of millions of people. GERD needs to be treated because it is the bedrock of stomach cancer.
GERD is one of the very first symptoms of which, it seems, one in five French people complains. Having heartburn after a meal that is too large or a little too acidic is part of the life of the 10 million French people who regularly go to see a doctor to get rid of these heartburn which spoils their existence and especially their lives. night. For those who have never really suffered from heartburn, it is difficult to understand how painful it can be …
Contrary to the fear of all these people who are suffering, it has nothing to do with what is called an ulcer, which is a sore on the lining of the stomach. While with reflux it is, in fact, the passage of part of the contents of the stomach, which contains acid, in the esophagus which is the pipe which connects this stomach to the mouth. The esophagus is not specially designed to receive acid, which is not the case with the stomach protected like a sink. The esophagus is more like a carpet atmosphere. It reacts with pain, like the skin during a burn.
In fact, between the stomach and the esophagus there is a valve, a flap. We do not really know why, in the case of reflux, this valve does not play its role well.
Doctors, who have long neglected this all too frequent complaint from their patients, have now decided to take this ailment seriously First, because the frequency is increasing. Because we are often too fat, because we consume certain drugs that are toxic for our stomach, such as anti-inflammatory drugs, or quite simply because clothes are too tight in fashion. Then, in 10 to 15% of French people, this reflux significantly disrupts the quality of life. And in those who suffer at least once a week from untreated reflux, the risk of stomach cancer is multiplied by 7. Results to be taken very seriously, especially as solutions exist.
GERD is treatable but above all can be prevented
Apart from the usual advice, stop smoking, cut down on alcohol, lose weight, which people are probably a little weary of hearing repeated, and which are not extraordinarily effective on reflux, the most useful measure consists of raising the head of the bed with wedges, sleeping with several pillows. Thus, in the event of reflux, the acid does not stay too long in the esophagus.
There are also a lot of drugs if I judge by all the advertisements that we see on our TV screens or in the newspapers. These are advertisements for the simpler, over-the-counter products, antacids, and drugs that speed up stomach emptying and boost flapper tone. In fact, the effective treatment is products that decrease or suppress the production of acid in the stomach. Today available in the form of generics, therefore inexpensive. Gastroesophageal reflux is an unnecessary suffering that over the long term can prove potentially damaging. Talk to your GP right away if you have it.
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